Program Overview

BSc (Hons) Agriculture (Foundation Year)

Overview

The BSc (Hons) Agriculture degree is designed to develop the professional agriculturalists and farm managers of the future. This wide-reaching, industry-recognised programme is built on the latest applied research, informed by the RAU’s extensive industry networks and delivered by world-renowned experts in their fields.

Course Details

• UCAS Code: D701
• Location: Royal Agricultural University Campus
• Duration: 4 years (full-time)
• Academic Year: 29 September 2025 to 22 May 2026

Course Overview

This degree course with a foundation year incorporates an extra year of study at the start of your course, so that you can progress with confidence. It will develop the skills you need for your later studies.

Foundation Year

The Foundation year will provide a common core of academic and study skills sufficient to prepare you for subsequent study and academic success at undergraduate level.

• 0IFY20 Land-use and Management: An introduction to the many and diverse ways in which land is utilised and managed, especially within the rural economy, as well as in urban areas.
• 0IFY21 Countryside Evolution and Development: An introduction to the wide range of current socio-economic, political and environmental issues that influence change in our countryside environments.
• 0IFY22 Enterprise and Marketing: A comprehensive overview of the fundamentals of business such as types of business ownership, business aims and objectives, business functions, internal and external environment and marketing.
• 0IFY23 Land-based Data Handling: Learn about a wide-range of data skills including mapping and spatial data, laboratory analysis, desk-based data and fieldwork.
• 0IFY24 Food and Farming: Understand core scientific theories within agriculture and how they impact on rural business and agricultural management.
• 0IFY25 Developing your Skills: Explore your personal values, looking at the human, social and emotional aspects of professional learning to support the transition to studying at degree level.

Year One

• 1007 Soil and Environmental Science: Carry out practical field and laboratory soil analyses related to soil health.
• 1325 Introduction to the Agri-Food Industry: Develop an understanding of the agrifood supply chain from farm to fork.
• 1440 Academic and Practical Skills: Learn and try out a range of practical skills used in the land and farming sectors.
• 1441 Applied Animal Science: Explore the science underlying animal production.
• 1442 Applied Plant Science: Understand crop physiological and biochemical pathways.
• 1443 Business Finance and Accounts: Learn the fundamentals of accountancy and use software to create and clearly present financial information.
• 1444 Innovation and Technology: Explore emerging technologies in agricultural machinery and buildings.
• 1446 Ecosystem Services and Human Wellbeing: Explore the range of goods and services that ecosystems provide that support human well-being.

Year Two

• 2132 Farm Business Planning: Take part in a farm business planning exercise, benchmarking to industry standards.
• 2337 Personal and Professional Development Skills and Employability: Review and critically assess professional communication standards and other competencies needed for successful client and business management.
• 2349 The Resilience of Agro-Ecosystems: Explore key concepts and theories around sustainable agriculture and different methods for promoting it.
• 2372 Animal Health and Welfare: Learn how animal health and welfare can be scientifically assessed using frameworks and assessment tools to compare different UK animal agriculture systems.
• 2373 Agronomy: Discuss the agronomic factors which are involved in the production of crops in regenerative, integrated, conventional and sustainable farming systems.
• 2378 Research and Evidence: Explore the wide range of research methodologies available, and learn how to select the optimal approach for a given scenario.
• 2317 Industry Placement: Complete 15 weeks of work experience to develop key skills for the world of work.

Year Three

• 3329 Climate Change and Natural Resource Challenges: Understand the impact that climate change has on natural resources like water, soil and biodiversity internationally.
• 3330 Technology and Agroecology Innovation: Explore the role of technology, innovation and agroecology in addressing sustainability challenges on farms and throughout the supply chain.
• 3331 Food Supply Systems and Policy: Look at the influence of consumers on food systems and the role of policy.
• 3300 Research Project / Dissertation: Develop a detailed research proposal that presents a well-developed research aim supported by clear research objectives.

Careers and Graduate Destinations

The applied nature of the programme, research-led teaching methods and close links with industry will provide you with the academic, technical and professional employment skills, which are highly valued by employers.

Entry Requirements

• Typical Offers: GCSE minimum five GCSEs at Grade C/4 including English Language and Mathematics (or Maths Numeracy for Welsh applicants) plus satisfactory level 3 qualifications, one science level 3 subject is recommended for this programme.
• A-Level: (example grades EEE) – minimum of 48 UCAS tariff points across either three A-levels or two A-levels and two AS level subjects or equivalent qualifications.
• C&G Advanced Technical/BTEC - Level 3 Extended Diploma (1080) at Pass-Pass-Pass.
• International Baccalaureate: 24 points.
• Access to Higher Education: Pass course with 45 credits at level 3 (Pass in Functional Skills level 2 are accepted in lieu of GCSE English & Mathematics).

Fees

• Tuition Fees: Cover the cost of a student’s academic studies. This usually includes teaching costs, registration and examination fees (not repeat or trailing modules, re-sit fees or coursework resubmission).
• UK: £5,760 per year (Foundation year), £9,535 per year (Full-time).
• International: £16,950 per year (Foundation year and Full-time).

Scholarships

The University offers a wide range of generous fee waivers and bursaries.